If anyone wondered which defenseman is next on the depth chart after Dakota Mermis, the answer came Monday when the Minnesota Wild made their second defensive call-up early this season.
The answer is Daemon Hunt, Minnesota’s 2020 third-round selection at pick No. 65.
“It’s honestly really surreal, just driving up here from Des Moines,” Hunt told the media. “Reality really starts to kick in, and I’m just really happy to be here. I’m just waiting for my opportunity here.”
The Wild recalled Hunt for an extra body and insurance before the Wild played the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday and ahead of their three-game road trip that starts tonight in Philadelphia before stops in Washington D.C. Friday and New Jersey Saturday. So unless something unforeseen happens, Hunt's NHL debut will remain on hold.
Regardless, his opportunity will eventually come, and everything indicates he will be ready for it. After all, the Wild revealed their confidence in him by recalling him.
It’s for good reason, too.
Hunt played well at the prospects showcase in September and then looked composed and capable in his six minutes and 40 seconds of ice time in the Wild’s first preseason game on Sept. 24 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Hunt exited the game in the second after getting injured in a collision behind the net, which kept him from playing again in the preseason. He recorded an assist and had an 89 percent expected goals rate in all situations in his 6:40 of ice time, which led the Wild according to Natural Stat Trick.
The 21-year-old is coming off a strong rookie campaign where he proved to be a reliable two-way presence on Iowa's blue line. Hunt's 11 points in 59 games is a bit misleading though because his offensive instincts and details didn't always translate to getting points.
“He’s been outstanding,” former Iowa Wild head coach Tim Army told me last December about halfway through Hunt’s rookie season. “He’s a very, very, very bright defensive prospect for us.”
Fast forward to now, Hunt said he did think he was in the position to be the next call-up.
“I have high expectations for myself," he said, "and I did believe that I could be the next guy to get up here.”
The left-shot defender liked his start in Iowa through the first four games before earning the call-up to Minnesota.
“I feel like I had a really good start down in Iowa, just playing a lot of minutes (and) being on the power play and penalty kill down there,” Hunt said. “It’s a lot of responsibility — so I think I’ve had a really good start.”
As for Hunt's scouting report on himself?
“Two-way defenseman,” he said. “I like to move pucks fast (and) get into forwards hands. I love being a part of the offense. I think I’m at my best when I’m defending really hard (and) good gaps, good sticks, good box outs, but I think just being really reliable, too. And my skating as well; I think I’m a really strong skater.”
Related Video: Wild Prospect Report
Note: The video incorrectly says OHL; Riley Heidt plays in the WHL.